Gas line leak

Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
Very small but can I seal the leak with some type of epoxy or some type of heat resistant duct tape?
Sunday, October 6th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

I would recommend highly against this. I would highly recommend replacing the fuel line with a replacement part. Gasoline is highly flammable and fuel leaks are very serious and threaten not only the longevity of your vehicle, but possibly yourself as well. Fuel lines can be purchased at your local auto parts store for a reasonable price or you can make your own with aluminum tubing and a tubing bender. Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 2:59 AM
Tiny
PCULQUI
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Would I need to replace the entire fuel line running to the gas tank or how would I do it or do I need a professional? Would this be the reason the 'check engine' light is on and the Code P0442 appears on the OBD 2?
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 3:37 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Yes, they are probably related. Direct Trouble Code(DTC) P0422 is for a small Evaporative Emissions(EVAP) leak. The EVAP system is a system that gathers and traps the fuel vapor from the fuel tank until the Powertrain Control Module(PCM) or "computer" decides to let go into the combustion chambers to be burnt under normal operating conditions. In the diagrams down below I have included the vehicle manufacturer diagnostic troubleshooting flowchart for DTC P0442. Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
PCULQUI
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  • 354 POSTS
Now for my first. Question asked, do I need a professional to change the fuel line or can I do it myself?
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2019 AT 1:46 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

You can do this yourself, but you will have to working underneath the vehicle. You can purchase the fuel line from any auto parts store and it is not that hard to install, but the fuel line might not be your problem. In the diagrams of my last reply I included a guide from the vehicle manufacturer to track down precisely the problem for DTC 0442, which is probably why you getting a whiff of fuel from time to time, not the fuel line. Please go through the guide and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2019 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 354 POSTS
But if my fuel line is getting wet (leaking) slightly, is it an emergency to replace it now or can it wait for later?
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 AT 3:56 AM
Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 354 POSTS
What are the steps to replace a fuel line. Do you have a video?
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 AT 3:57 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

If I can jump in, fuel leaks are a top priority to get repaired. Fuel systems are closed systems because fuel is obviously flammable so I would get it repaired ASAP. If you are finding fuel dripping, I would not even drive the vehicle until it is repaired. If you are finding wet fuel lines, I would just drive it to the shop to get it repaired if you are not doing it yourself.

I provided the steps for the line from the filter to the tank because I assume this is where it is coming from. If the leak is before the filter let me know and I can send that repair. We do not have a video for this specific vehicle on doing this but there may be someone on YouTube that has posted one.
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Saturday, October 12th, 2019 AT 8:02 AM

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